OUT OF BOUNDS By Geary (Smedley) Leason

Oliver P. Smedley, the Bay’s seedy geezer known for his off-the-wall philosophizing, threw one of his beauties out at the church’s mens group that meets for breakfast at Jack’s every Monday morning. Smedley mused that many folks have some questions they would like to ask God but don’t have the nerve to raise them in church or Sunday School. Jack thought it would be very helpful if a searching soul – under the anonymity made possible by the internet – could ask some befuddling and unanswered questions. Smedley feels that he is not alone in this regard, nor does he feel that his faith is lessened by his desire to understand a few things that are not made explicitly clear in the Bible.
Smedley surmised that God’s website would have drop down for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) giving the anonymous surfer an opportunity to get some answers to some of his perplexing questions without being exposed as a lukewarm believer. Here is a preview of this section:
FAQ: God, why did you create chiggers, ticks, fleas, and mosquitos as all they do is harass man and animal with itches, bites, and diseases?
Answer: Hmm, that’s a good question. One minute, I’ll ask Jesus who was in charge of creation. Can I get back to you on this? I’ll let you know at the end of your next prayer. OK?
FAQ: What’s with these Islamic nutzoids oppressing and killing “infidels”or anyone including fellow Muslims that disagree with them? Have you given them permission to slaughter people innocent or not?
Answer: I have given no one such permission and I never have , never will, nor could I! It is exactly the opposite of my immutable nature and what I desire for all people: that they live in peace and that they love Me and their neighbors as they love themselves. Indeed, we are to love our enemies and any vengeance is for me to use only!
FAQ: What makes these people tick? Why are the so hell-bent on compelling all people to live under their oppressive rule and that they feel justified to use any means possible including genocide and beheading to gain this dominance?
Answer: These people are overtaken by an evil that has existed throughout all history, best exemplified by several horrific slaughters such as Nazi Germany’s annihilation six million Jews; Stalin’s murder of 30 million of his countrymen; and Mao’s similar extermination of his own people in the name of Communism. Today’s militant Islamists are no different than the evil doers cited above as they seek the very same totalitarian domination of people. This evil finds fertile soil in the very nature of mankind which is dominated by its selfish, rebellious character and, if left unchecked and unconverted, leads to unspeakable misery and chaos.
FAQ: How did this selfish nature get started? It has always been my understanding that every thing You created was “good” including mankind? What happened?
Answer: I did create everything “good” but in doing so, I gave mankind the ability to choose whether to live by my rules or not. I did not wish to create robots but instead, I gave people the ability to choose whether to love and obey me or not. Unfortunately, the very first two folks were seduced to go on their own and thus their disposition was given over to glorifying themselves instead of Me. This defect in their nature was passed on to their offspring – and the rest is history. I’ve been working ever since to love all people back to me, even paying the penalty for them for their disobedience (sins).
FAQ: It seems that this world is not only not getting better, but getting worse. How is all this mess going to end?
Answer: I, too, grieve over the slaughter of innocents, but I also grieve over the unkindness and abuse people lay on each other daily – man and wife, children and parents, neighbors, co-workers, strangers, – you name it. I have done all I can do to give everyone an opportunity to change their selfish nature and regain the original nature of goodness and love for one another. The ball is in their court.
FAQ: Is there anything I can do to help?
Answer: Yes, make sure you yourself are not part of the problem but that you are part of the solution by receiving the love and forgiveness of My Son Jesus who has paid the penalty for your selfish, offensive behavior, your sins! Turning to Him by repenting of your rebellion will give you the potential to be transformed from a selfish taker to a generous giver. With your restored nature, you can choose to become a person of peace and a blessing to other people.